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	<title>Archive Archives - Sustainable Saratoga</title>
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	<description>Sustainable practices, to benefit current and future generations in Saratoga Springs, NY</description>
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		<title>Press Release Malta Repair Cafe February 21 2026</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-malta-repair-cafe-february-21-2026/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Rothaug]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zero Waste]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Malta repair cafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[press release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable saratoga]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15534</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 2/12/2026 Sustainable Saratoga &amp; Innovation Center Host Malta Repair Café on Saturday, Feb. 21 Media Contact: Caroline Rothaug: caroline@sustainablesaratoga.org Saratoga Springs, NY – After a successful debut last fall, the Malta Repair Café is back—ready to give broken household items a second life and bring neighbors together in the</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-malta-repair-cafe-february-21-2026/">Press Release Malta Repair Cafe February 21 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15536" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SS-RepairCafeMalta-Oct2025-12-web.jpg" alt="" width="242" height="161" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SS-RepairCafeMalta-Oct2025-12-web-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SS-RepairCafeMalta-Oct2025-12-web-300x200.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SS-RepairCafeMalta-Oct2025-12-web-400x266.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SS-RepairCafeMalta-Oct2025-12-web.jpg 533w" sizes="(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px" />PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 2/12/2026</b></p>
<p><b>Sustainable Saratoga &amp; Innovation Center Host Malta Repair Café on Saturday, Feb. 21</b></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Media Contact: Caroline Rothaug: caroline@sustainablesaratoga.org</span></i></p>
<p><b>Saratoga Springs, NY</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – After a successful debut last fall, the Malta Repair Café is back—ready to give broken household items a second life and bring neighbors together in the process. The first Malta Repair Café, held in October 2025 at the Innovation Center at Saratoga, welcomed 45 community members and repaired an impressive 36 everyday items, all thanks to the skill and generosity of volunteer repair coaches.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Based on that enthusiastic response, the Malta Repair Café will return on </span><b>Saturday, February 21</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, from </span><b>1:00 to 4:00 p.m.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> at the </span><b>Innovation Center at Saratoga, 16 Old Stonebreak Road, Malta, NY</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The event is </span><b>free </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">and open to the public.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Repair Cafés are hands-on, community-powered events where knowledgeable volunteers help attendees diagnose and fix broken items—while sharing skills and confidence along the way. Participants are invited to bring items from home such as small furniture, toys, lamps, kitchen appliances, vacuums, clothing and textiles, jewelry, books, ceramics, and more. If you can carry it in, the Repair Café team will do their best to fix it. Sustainable Saratoga Programs Manager Caroline Rothaug is one of the organizers: “</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">What could be better than a day of people who love to fix things working with the owners of broken items to put them back in working order? Six days! </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sustainable Saratoga is doubling the number of Repair Cafés we co-host to six in 2026.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Innovation Center is proud to host the Malta Repair Café and support an event that brings people together to share skills, reduce waste, and strengthen our community,” said Beth Moeller from The Innovation Center at Saratoga. “Seeing neighbors help one another while giving everyday items a second life is exactly the kind of innovation we love to foster.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More than just a fix-it event, the Repair Café is about reducing waste, saving money, and rediscovering the value of repair. By extending the life of everyday objects and keeping them out of landfills, Repair Cafés help build a more sustainable community—one repair at a time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More info at </span><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/repair-cafe-saratoga-springs/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/repair-cafe-saratoga-springs/</span></a></p>
<hr />
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS</span></p>
<p><a href="https://innovationcentersaratoga.org/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Innovation Center at Saratoga</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Inc. is a makerspace and community collaboration space supporting inventors, creators, and the innovators of the future. The Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.</span></i></p>
<p><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sustainable Saratoga</span></i></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area.  Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.</span></i></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-malta-repair-cafe-february-21-2026/">Press Release Malta Repair Cafe February 21 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Together We Made a Difference in 2025</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/together-we-made-a-difference-in-2025/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:35:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15439</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Thanks to our shared commitment, we’ve made a lasting impact. Sustainable Saratoga’s work is vital to the health of our community, and your support is key to moving it forward. A donation today will help us sustain our efforts, protect the environment, and advance our mission in the coming year. DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/together-we-made-a-difference-in-2025/">Together We Made a Difference in 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-color:#176333;--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-margin-top:12px;--awb-margin-bottom:12px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-top:0px;--awb-margin-bottom:18px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="512" alt="Tree Toga Group Photo" title="IMG_9420cropped" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-1024x512.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15478" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-200x100.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-400x200.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-600x300.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-800x400.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_9420cropped-1200x600.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-1 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:10px;--awb-margin-right:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:10px;--awb-margin-left:25px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><div class="flex-shrink-0 flex flex-col relative items-end">
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<div class="relative p-1 rounded-sm flex items-center justify-center bg-token-main-surface-primary text-token-text-primary h-8 w-8">Thanks to our shared commitment, we’ve made a lasting impact. Sustainable Saratoga’s work is vital to the health of our community, and your support is key to moving it forward. A donation today will help us sustain our efforts, protect the environment, and advance our mission in the coming year.</div>
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</div><div style="text-align:center;"><a class="fusion-button button-flat button-xlarge button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type" style="--awb-margin-top:18px;--awb-margin-bottom:2px;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/contribute/"><span class="fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default">DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK</span></a></div></div></div><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-2" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:700;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Overall Accomplishments</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" alt="Sustainability Fair" title="SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-1024x682.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15441" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-400x267.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-600x400.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-800x533.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-SustainabilityFair2025-30c-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-3 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span>• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/saratoga-sustainability-fair/saratoga-sustainability-fair-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saratoga Sustainability Fair</a>, co-hosted with Skidmore College Sustainability Office (April 5) &#8211; <strong>250 attendees, 36 exhibitors<br />
</strong><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">• </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser (April 13) <strong>raised $586</strong></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/science-on-tap-saratoga/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science on Tap</a> (January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 26, November 19)<br />
</span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;">• Green Drinks at </span></b>Whitman Brewing (January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10)<b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><b>• </b></span>Caffè Lena’s TrueSongs 2025: Stories of Courage, Resilience &amp; Community (November 15)</p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-4" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:700;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Zero Waste &#8212; Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" alt="Saratoga Recycles Day" title="IMG_7296c" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-1024x682.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15444" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-400x267.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-600x400.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-800x533.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_7296c-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-5 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p>• Chowderfest (February 8) 3200 cups served and re-washed at our Reuse Stations<br />
• Repair Cafe (March 2, September 13, NEW Malta Location October 25, December 7) 142 items repaired<br />
• Composting Workshop at Hudson Crossing Park (May 18)<br />
• Community Compost Pilot Program at Pitney Meadows Community Farm (June &#8211; November)<br />
• Community Compost Workshop &amp; Tour at Pitney Meadows Community Farm (July 22)<br />
• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/paint-collection-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paint Collection Day</a> (October 4) <strong>587 vehicles, 70 Cubic Yard Boxes collected, 54,758 lbs of Latex/ Acrylic/ Water based paints, 5,484 lbs of Oil-based paints collected</strong><br />
• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/saratoga-recycles-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saratoga Recycles Day </a>(October 18) <strong>517 vehicles, 8 local businesses and nonprofit groups collected donations.<br />
</strong>• Pumpkin Smash! with Community Compost (November 8)<br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">• February &#8211;</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSew-qDB2GtBXT3QsrqDiHQpX7KRBul52lbF2osROf3TpOmBrw/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Sign-on Letter from Food &amp; Water Watch</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to Gov. Kathy Hochul asked her to join a 7-State Governor’s petition to add microplastics to the EPA monitoring rules</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-6" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:700;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Urban Forestry Project &#8212; Tree Planting and Preservation</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-7 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" alt="Tree Toga" title="SS-TreeToga13-33c" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-1024x682.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15446" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-400x267.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-600x400.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-800x533.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SS-TreeToga13-33c-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-7 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p>• 2nd annual Tree Toga Lead Planter Training at Jefferson Terrace (April 22)<br />
• 14th <span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/urban-forestry-project/tree-toga/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tree Toga</a> (April 26) </span>&#8211; <strong>182</strong><b> volunteers, 40 native trees planted<br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">• </span>Tree Dedication Ceremony in honor of 10 years of Tree Toga</p>
<p><b></b><b><i><br />
</i></b></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-8 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-8" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:700;"><p class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" data-fontsize="22" data-lineheight="33px">Land Use Advocacy — Protecting the Environment</p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-9 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="600" height="450" alt="Greenbelt" title="SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15452" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 600px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-9 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">• April &#8211;</span><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SuSa-Comment-Letter-MJ-Engineering-Draft-Report-on-Truck-Traffic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> SuSa Comment Letter to City of Saratoga Springs</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> regarding the </span><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MJ778.02_Van-Dam_Church-Street_Traffic-Impact-Study_Draft-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">MJ Engineering Draft Report</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on truck traffic on Church and Van Dam<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">• June &#8211;</span><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/McNeary-Letter-to-Mayor.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> SuSa Comment Letter to Mayor Safford and Deputy Mayor Kiernan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> regarding the proposed mixed use development on Denton Road, also forwarded to all City Council members<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">• August &#8211; </span><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SuSa-Letter-Project-20230877-–-NYS-29-Mixed-Use-.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SuSa Comment Letter to Saratoga Springs Planning Board</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> regarding NYS 29 Mixed Use Proposed Project</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-10 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-10" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-right:4px;--awb-margin-left:4px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Climate &amp; Energy &#8212; Addressing the Climate Crisis</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-11 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" alt="EV Show" title="EVCSHVN_1600c" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-1024x682.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15448" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-400x267.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-600x400.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-800x533.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EVCSHVN_1600c-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-11 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
</span>• Windshipped Film Screening (February 4)<br />
• EV Show (Sept 13) – more than 20 electric vehicles, electric bikes, and guided tours of the LEED-certified HVCC TEC-SMART building<br />
• Environmentalist Bill McKibben (Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization) at Skidmore College (October 22)<br />
• March &#8211; NY Heat Act <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/03.13.2025-Sustainable-Saratoga-NY-HEAT-MOS-3.25.docx.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memo of Support Sign-on Letter</a><br />
• March &#8211; Renewable Capital Act (RCA) <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/03.13.2025-RCA-Logo-Memo-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Logo Sign-on Letter</a><br />
• May &#8211; <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/NYS-All-Electric-Buildings-Act-Letter.docx.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All Electric Buildings Act letter</a> to NYS Building Code Council Members<br />
• August &#8211; NYPIRG Sign-on Letter: <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Draft-coalition-letter-to-Gov-Hochul.docx.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AN OPEN LETTER URGING SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO HELP LANDSCAPERS AND MUNICIPALITIES SHIFT TO BATTERY-POWERED LAWN EQUIPMENT</a></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-12 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="90" title="divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png" alt class="img-responsive wp-image-7898" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-200x15.png 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-400x30.png 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-600x45.png 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN-800x60.png 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/divider-leaf-recycling-WEB-brochure-GREEN.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-12" style="--awb-font-size:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-right:4px;--awb-margin-left:4px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Pollinator Initiative &#8212; Protect &amp; Create Safe Habitat</span></p>
</div><div class="fusion-image-element " style="--awb-margin-top:8px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-13 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="269" alt="Pollinator Palooza" title="Palooza25" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-1024x269.jpg" class="img-responsive wp-image-15450" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-200x53.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-400x105.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-600x158.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-800x210.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25-1200x315.jpg 1200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Palooza25.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px" /></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-13 fusion-text-no-margin" style="--awb-font-size:12pt;--awb-line-height:18pt;--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-margin-bottom:25px;--awb-margin-left:50px;--awb-text-font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;--awb-text-font-style:normal;--awb-text-font-weight:400;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/no-mow-may/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Mow May</a> (May 1 &#8211; May 31)<br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">• <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/pollinators-and-native-plants/pollinator-palooza-native-plant-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pollinator Palooza</a> (June 1) &#8211; </span><strong>1,600 plants of 35 species</strong><b> sold to support pollinators, 300 attendees<br />
</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">• </span>Geyser Road Elementary School two new pollinator gardens (June 28) &#8211; over 100 new native, pollinator-friendly plants, expanded the existing milkweed garden</p>
</div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:18px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-14" style="--awb-text-transform:none;--awb-margin-right:4px;--awb-margin-left:4px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;">Sustainable Saratoga is a small non-profit making a big impact. Our work is made possible by people like you — volunteers, donors, and supporters. <strong>Together, we can continue to accomplish amazing things.</strong> Your contribution will help sustain and expand these efforts in the year ahead. </span></p>
</div><div style="text-align:center;"><a class="fusion-button button-flat button-xlarge button-default fusion-button-default button-2 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/contribute/"><span class="fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default">DONATE TODAY</span></a></div></div></div></div></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/together-we-made-a-difference-in-2025/">Together We Made a Difference in 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Seeds: A Metaphor for Life and Antidote to Despair</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/seeds-a-metaphor-for-life-and-antidote-to-despair/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:01:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollinators & Native Plants]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15358</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>by Johanna Garrison There is no set prescription for combatting hopelessness or gloom, but personally, I have found, time and again, that getting my hands dirty and observing new beginnings is one of the simplest, purest life-affirming acts there is. Sowing My Way to Sanity Like many during Covid lockdown, I felt drawn to seed</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/seeds-a-metaphor-for-life-and-antidote-to-despair/">Seeds: A Metaphor for Life and Antidote to Despair</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">by Johanna Garrison<br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is no set prescription for combatting hopelessness or gloom, but personally, I have found, time and again, that getting my hands dirty and observing new beginnings is one of the simplest, purest life-affirming acts there is.</span></p>
<h3><b><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15362 size-medium" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Oak-Tree-C-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Oak-Tree-C-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Oak-Tree-C-300x225.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Oak-Tree-C-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Oak-Tree-C.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Sowing My Way to Sanity</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like many during Covid lockdown, I felt drawn to seed and soil. In her book, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">What We Sow: On the Personal</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Jennifer Jewell writes, “A seed is the dormant dream of a new life.” Jewell continues, &#8220;</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The notion of it, a </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">seed</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and the very act of it, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">to</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">seed</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, permeate our collective cultural fabric and imagination. Seeds are the flesh of life and one of the smallest visible units of its meaning, they are the future of that flesh and meaning, and they hold the metaphoric bounty of it all wrapped up in the enormous diversity of their relatively tiny forms.&#8221;</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every time I pick up an acorn, I think, how? How does this tiny hooded nugget become a centuries-old behemoth, not to mention on a national level, play larval host plant to nearly 1,000 species of moth and butterfly, in turn feeding hundreds of birds and other wildlife? Growing our own, creating beauty, nourishing both mind and body, all while investing in the health of our children and community– that is the seed of good fortune. </span></p>
<h3><b><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15360 size-medium" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Winter-Sowing-Step-by-Step-C-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Winter-Sowing-Step-by-Step-C-200x250.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Winter-Sowing-Step-by-Step-C-240x300.jpg 240w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Winter-Sowing-Step-by-Step-C-400x500.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Winter-Sowing-Step-by-Step-C.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" />Sow Those Blues Away</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Winter sowing was a term I first heard five years ago during Covid. I had no idea you could sow seeds in January and store them outdoors all winter! Up to that point, I’d been placing jars or ziplocs of native seeds saved from my garden in the fridge for sixty days and then planting in spring. Many seeds require </span><b>stratification</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a period of cold, moist conditions that mimics winter so the seeds will break dormancy and germinate. Then I listened to a Joe Gardener podcast with Heather McCargo of Wild Seed Project. “Let nature do the work!” Heather urged. A few clean pots, soil, sand, seeds and a screen under my deck all winter? I could do that. Plus, it was practically like growing a garden for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">free</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Plants for myself, plants to share… what’s not to love? </span></p>
<h3><b>What Native Plants Teach Us</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most native seeds don’t need special care or fertilizer to grow because they are adapted to our native soils and faithfully temper the conditions of our inconstant climate. Additionally, propagating native seeds helps preserve genetic diversity. “The biggest problem I have with cultivars is that they’re all cloned,” McCargo says. “So we’re mass-producing a really narrowed gene pool.” A cultivar, or nativar, is a plant propagated by humans to clone preferred traits like color, size, yield, petal shape, or disease resistance. Considerable research has been dedicated to producing cultivars; that’s not to say that certain cultivars aren’t worthy of our garden space, but without seed diversity, plants frequently fall prey to disease, predatory insects, and changing climate conditions. Sowing seeds of straight (native) plant species ensures genetic biodiversity, resilience, and the health of our planet.</span></p>
<h3><b><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15363 size-medium" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-66x66.jpg 66w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-150x150.jpg 150w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-200x200.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-300x300.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C-400x400.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seed-Heart-C.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Come Join Us and Learn How… It’s Sow Easy!</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sustainable Saratoga and SoBro Conservancy are co-hosting a free winter sowing workshop on </span><b>Thursday, January 29 from 5-7pm </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">at the</span><b> Skidmore Center for Integrated Sciences</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><b>Drop by anytime between 5 and 6:30pm</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Soil, seeds, and recycled pots will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own recycled plastic milk jugs or containers/pots. Volunteers will be on hand to instruct and answer questions. Within a few quick steps, you’ll have your own potential garden at the ready! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">***<a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/event/community-winter-sowing-workshop/">Please register using the QR code from the event flyer on Sustainable Saratoga’s website (included in their January newsletter).</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></p>
<p><b>Resources:</b></p>
<p><b>The Easiest Way to Start and Grow Seeds in Winter: No Special Equipment Required</b><br />
<a href="https://joegardener.com/podcast/easiest-way-to-start-and-grow-native-seeds-winter/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://joegardener.com/podcast/easiest-way-to-start-and-grow-native-seeds-winter/</span></a></p>
<p><b>Wild Seed Project &#8211; Autumn and Winter Sowing in Six Easy Steps</b><br />
<a href="https://wildseedproject.net/blog/ideal-time-for-sowing-native-seeds"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://wildseedproject.net/blog/ideal-time-for-sowing-native-seeds</span></a></p>
<p><b>Get Dirty. It’s Surprisingly Good for Your Health</b><br />
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/well/live/dirt-health-benefits.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/well/live/dirt-health-benefits.html</span></a></p>
<p><b>Jewell, Jennifer. </b><b><i>What We Sow: On the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds</i></b><b>. Timber Press, 2023.</b></p>
<div class="gmail_default"><span id="m_-4236436291455755375gmail-docs-internal-guid-05d55bf9-7fff-242f-0189-cb5260c8a95e"><b>Johanna Garrison</b> is a volunteer for Sustainable Saratoga’s Pollinator Committee and a garden advisory member for SoBro Conservancy. Retired from teaching, Johanna hopes to inspire others about the essential connection between insects and native plants.</span></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/seeds-a-metaphor-for-life-and-antidote-to-despair/">Seeds: A Metaphor for Life and Antidote to Despair</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cleaning up in the new year</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/cleaning-up-in-the-new-year/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 22:44:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zero Waste]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15331</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By Dianna Goodwin I am trying to downsize.  In 2025, my New Year’s resolution was to get rid of something every day.  The first item I got rid of was a box of extra long matches that had been floating around our house for at least a decade, unused.  The last item was a black</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/cleaning-up-in-the-new-year/">Cleaning up in the new year</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-15347" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-200x133.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-300x200.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-400x267.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-600x400.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-768x512.jpg 768w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-800x533.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/iStock-1125952932-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>By Dianna Goodwin</strong><br />
<span style="font-weight: 400;">I am trying to downsize.  In 2025, my New Year’s resolution was to get rid of something every day.  The first item I got rid of was a box of extra long matches that had been floating around our house for at least a decade, unused.  The last item was a black cardigan covered with lint that was sitting in a bag in a closet.  In between, there were 363 other items, ranging from the car we gave to our son to three strings of Mardi Gras beads. I have never been to Mardi Gras, so the beads evoked no pleasant memories of dancing in second lines or eating King Cake.  They were just pretty and shiny and taking up space on my bookshelf.  But what to do with all this stuff I no longer wanted?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is a real chore to get rid of unwanted, but functional items, without throwing them away.  So I was very impressed when my friend Nicole told me she went on a mission to clean out her mother’s house without renting a dumpster.  I decided to interview her to find out what she did with the accumulation of more than thirty years of household and personal items her mother left behind when she died.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First, while Nicole was thinking about whether or not to keep the house as a rental, she started cleaning out drawers, the garage and the closets, taking home family photos and some of her mother’s clothes and personal effects. After about a year, she decided to sell the house, and seriously began to get rid of clutter.  She kept the furniture for staging, then, when the house sold, finished clearing everything out to turn it over to the new owner.  She held an estate sale, advertising primarily on Facebook.  After the sale was over, there was still a lot left. Determined not to throw it all out, she researched where to take things to be resold, donated or recycled in the Malta/Ballston Spa/Saratoga Springs area.  The places she found are listed below.   </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the end she had three small piles left, one to burn, one to take on a last trip to a donation center, and one to throw out at the transfer station. Hats off to Nicole.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hope you use this list as a starting point for your own journey toward decluttering, should you need to take such a journey.  I am saving this list for my 2026 project of, once again, getting rid of something every day.  Maybe by 2030, my house will be free of unnecessary stuff.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nicole’s list:  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Best Buy </span><a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took small electronics including three hairdryers and a curling iron. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clean green </span><a href="https://www.cleangreenremoval.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.cleangreenremoval.com/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a junk removal company that specializes in recycling  or donating the items being thrown away. She did not use this service, in the end, because she got rid of everything herself. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hazardous waste disposal days are held by municipalities.  Call your town or city clerk to find out when the next one is scheduled in your area.  These are usually restricted to residents of the municipality where the waste is being collected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Local libraries often take used books, records, videos and cd’s for resale.  Mine won’t take text books, old reference books or magazines; those can be recycled, with hard covers removed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Noah’s attic in Ballston Spa took clothes, linens and odd household items, including Christmas decorations.  Other local donation centers  </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.saratoga.com/home-improvement/tidying-up-donation-spots/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.saratoga.com/home-improvement/tidying-up-donation-spots/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> accept clothes, household items, artwork and jewelry. I go to Gateway because they will take most small items.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paintcare </span><a href="https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> located a place for her to donate the unused paint in her mother’s garage.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Planit Salvage  </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MRN13ttFxETAhAYmXkgUeUpF7RKCcO_MxUY53nqhqm8/edit?tab=t.0"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://planitsalvage.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, took her car parts, ice skates, oven rack, metal picket fence, other metal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reshop for the Good ;</span><a href="https://www.reshopforthegood.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.reshopforthegood.com/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> sells second-hand furniture and home goods to support its program to provide home repairs to income-qualified households.  They took sets of glasses, some left over furniture, housewares, leather purses, and a jewelry stand. Items must be in very good condition.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Saratoga County Sheriff has a drop off box for medications and sharps, as do the Saratoga Springs Police Department and Saratoga Hospital.    </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Staples </span><a href="https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took luggage, binders, box fans, ironing boards, computer monitors, printer, and her mother’s old fax machine.  Nicole took an entire carload of old suitcases to them and they didn’t even blink.  </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wellspring </span><a href="https://www.wellspringcares.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.wellspringcares.org/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took cleaning supplies.</span></p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/cleaning-up-in-the-new-year/">Cleaning up in the new year</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Repair Café 2025 Roundup</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/repair-cafe-2025-roundup/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Rothaug]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:54:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zero Waste]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[repair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[repair cafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zero waste]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15177</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By Caroline Rothaug, Programs Manager Anyone who has ever met me has heard me wax poetic about Repair Café. The organized chaos and energetic buzz feed my soul. What could be better than a room full of people who love to fix things working with the owners of broken items to repair them. The</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/repair-cafe-2025-roundup/">Repair Café 2025 Roundup</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-15" style="--awb-margin-top:35px;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By Caroline Rothaug, Programs Manager</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-15186 alignleft" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Happy-patron.jpg" alt="Saratoga Repair Cafe repaired lamp" width="201" height="268" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Happy-patron-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Happy-patron-225x300.jpg 225w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Happy-patron.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px" />Anyone who has ever met me has heard me wax poetic about Repair Café. The organized chaos and energetic buzz feed my soul. What could be better than a room full of people who love to fix things working with the owners of broken items to repair them. The repairers (we call them Coaches) get their fixing fix, and the guests bring home newly working belongings.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sustainable Saratoga and the <strong><a href="https://www.sspl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saratoga Springs Public Library</a></strong> have partnered to hold fifteen Repair Cafés in the last eight years. Our coaches have a great track record of <em><strong>fixing over 75% of the items g</strong></em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em><strong>uests bring in</strong></em>. Even if we’re not able to repair something on the spot, we can often give advice on what to try next. This y</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ear we added a new location and partner: the <strong>Malta Repair Café</strong> at the <a href="https://innovationcentersaratoga.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Innovation Center at Saratoga</strong></a>.</span></p>
<h4><strong>Why are Repair Cafés important?</strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far this year, 129 people brought over 150 items to our Repair Cafés to be fixed. We were able to return 111 of those to working condition again! </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Repairing items keeps them out of landfills, saves money, and reduces demand for new stuff.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coaches and guests alike have a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The events bring people together and build community.</span></li>
</ul>
</div><div class="awb-gallery-wrapper awb-gallery-wrapper-1 button-span-no" style="--more-btn-alignment:center;" data-limit="4" data-page="1"><div style="margin:-5px;--awb-bordersize:0px;" class="fusion-gallery fusion-gallery-container fusion-grid-3 fusion-columns-total-3 fusion-gallery-layout-grid fusion-gallery-1"><div style="padding:5px;" class="fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-3 hover-type-none"><div class="fusion-gallery-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906.jpg" width="2400" height="1800" alt="" title="repair cafe 2019 &#8211; computer repair" aria-label="repair cafe 2019 &#8211; computer repair" class="img-responsive wp-image-6013" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906-600x450.jpg 600w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906-800x600.jpg 800w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WEB-IMG_0906.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 784px) 259px, (min-width: 712px) 389px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, " /></div></div><div style="padding:5px;" class="fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-3 hover-type-none"><div class="fusion-gallery-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5267.jpg" width="533" height="400" alt="" title="IMG_5267" aria-label="IMG_5267" class="img-responsive wp-image-15201" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5267-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5267-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_5267.jpg 533w" sizes="(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 784px) 259px, (min-width: 712px) 389px, (min-width: 640px) 712px, " /></div></div><div style="padding:5px;" class="fusion-grid-column fusion-gallery-column fusion-gallery-column-3 hover-type-none"><div class="fusion-gallery-image"><img decoding="async" src="" width="" height="" alt="" title="" aria-label="" class="img-responsive wp-image-"  /></div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-16" style="--awb-margin-top:20px;"><h4><strong>Want to check one out?</strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have one more Repair Café in 2025, on Sunday, December 7. Come down to the Saratoga Springs Public Library between 1 and 4 pm (pro tip– it’s less busy after 2 pm). Bring something to be repaired, or just stop by to see what it’s all about.</span></p>
<h4><strong>Want to be a Repair Coach? </strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Send us an email at </span><a href="mailto:info@sustainablesaratoga.org"><span style="font-weight: 400;">info@sustainablesaratoga.org</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and let us know what you like to fix.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Can’t get enough of Repair Cafés?</strong> </span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are many others in our area. See the <a href="https://www.repaircafehv.org/calendar?view=calendar&amp;month=12-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hudson Valley Repair Café calendar</strong></a> for more opportunities to get your broken stuff fixed. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, keep an eye on our <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/eventscalendar/"><strong>Events Calendar</strong></a> for next year’s dates.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Repair Café is a worldwide movement. Learn more <a href="https://www.repaircafe.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</span></p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/repair-cafe-2025-roundup/">Repair Café 2025 Roundup</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Editorial: Our Comprehensive Plan Protects Saratoga Springs as the &#8220;City in the Country&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/editorial-our-comprehensive-plan-protects-saratoga-springs-as-the-city-in-the-country/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Nov 2025 19:37:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Use and Urban Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saratoga springs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainability]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15148</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>By Amy Durland For more than three decades, Saratoga Springs has embraced a unique vision: our community is the “City in the Country.” This is more than a slogan—it is the foundation of an intentional and forward-thinking Comprehensive Plan that recognizes the importance of both our vibrant downtown and the natural areas that surround it.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/editorial-our-comprehensive-plan-protects-saratoga-springs-as-the-city-in-the-country/">Editorial: Our Comprehensive Plan Protects Saratoga Springs as the &#8220;City in the Country&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>By Amy Durland</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-15151 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-300x225.jpg" alt="Greenbelt" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-300x225.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-19cWEBC.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />For more than three decades, Saratoga Springs has embraced a unique vision: our community is the “City in the Country.” This is more than a slogan—it is the foundation of an intentional and forward-thinking Comprehensive Plan that recognizes the importance of both our vibrant downtown and the natural areas that surround it.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs’ urban core and its large Greenbelt area of “rural character” are complementary pieces of a larger whole: the compact city center provides energy, interest, and economic vitality, while the outer Greenbelt delivers ecological resilience, scenic beauty, open spaces, and a sense of place treasured by visitors and residents alike. This “City in the Country” identity is embodied in the city’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan, a document that articulates the city’s land use vision, and upon which our land use and development regulations are based.</p>
<p>This hard-earned balance has always required vigilance. Sometimes developments are proposed that would push against the standards the community has long agreed upon. Instead of reinforcing the values etched into our Comprehensive Plan, some proposals would erode them by wanting the city to bend or reinterpret its standards.</p>
<p>There are calls for creating a new Comprehensive Plan review process. While this is not unreasonable, a Comprehensive Plan review is typically a protracted process that could open the door to an undesirable model of development in the city.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-15152 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-16C-300x225.jpg" alt="Greenbelt" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-16C-200x150.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-16C-300x225.jpg 300w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-16C-400x300.jpg 400w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SuSa-GreenBelt2020-16C.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The risks of abandoning our &#8220;City in the Country&#8221; model are both immediate and long-term:<br />
<strong>• Environmental degradation</strong>: Large or inappropriate developments in the Greenbelt stand to harm wetlands, wildlife habitats, and ecological systems that protect against flooding and improve our water quality. Once compromised, these resources are nearly impossible to restore.<br />
<strong>• Loss of rural character</strong>: Saratoga Springs’ appeal is not only its downtown but the striking contrast between a lively city center and the rural landscapes that surround it. Unmitigated sprawl across the Greenbelt would blur this distinction and diminish the city’s defining charm.<br />
<strong>• Economic consequences</strong>: Tourists are drawn to Saratoga Springs not only for the racetrack or<br />
Broadway but because Saratoga offers something rare: a small vibrant city infused with nature and history. We risk undermining one of our strongest economic drivers if we allow sprawl, sold to the city as “progress,” to replace the community’s Greenbelt. It also detracts from the downtown as our economic center.<br />
<strong>• Cumulative impacts</strong>: A single inappropriate project might be defended as “not too harmful,” but taken together, each exception sets a precedent. Before long, the protections that have safeguarded our community’s unique identity for over 30 years will unravel.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs can embrace growth without abandoning the vision that has guided it for decades. Our Comprehensive Plan is more than a suggestion—it is a community blueprint for how to balance vitality and conservation. Let&#8217;s keep that vision intact, with citizens actively shaping its direction. Saratoga Springs must continue to be a place where economic vitality thrives alongside nature’s abundance, not at its expense.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/editorial-our-comprehensive-plan-protects-saratoga-springs-as-the-city-in-the-country/">Editorial: Our Comprehensive Plan Protects Saratoga Springs as the &#8220;City in the Country&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>2025 City Council and County Supervisor Candidate Survey</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2025-city-council-candidate-survey-find-out-where-the-local-candidates-stand-on-sustainability-issues/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:56:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15091</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 4, 2025 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2025-city-council-candidate-survey-find-out-where-the-local-candidates-stand-on-sustainability-issues/">2025 City Council and County Supervisor Candidate Survey</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-17" style="--awb-margin-top:16px;"><p><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vote-graphic.gif"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-6209 size-fusion-200" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vote-graphic-200x215.gif" alt="" width="200" height="215" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vote-graphic-200x215.gif 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vote-graphic-279x300.gif 279w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vote-graphic-400x430.gif 400w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a>Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. The November 4, 2025 election offers an opportunity to raise and discuss pressing issues relating to sustainability in this region.</p>
<p>Our supporters are interested in knowing the candidates’ plans for addressing key sustainability issues confronting our community, and this questionnaire provides each candidate an opportunity to discuss these issues. We sent each candidate the same questions. Below you will find their responses, verbatim and without any comments. Click on the name to see the responses for that candidate. There is a link to a pdf version of each candidate&#8217;s responses at the bottom of this page.</p>
<p><em><strong>It is important to stress that as a 501(c)(3), Sustainable Saratoga does not, and will not, endorse any particular candidate for an elected office.</strong></em></p>
</div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:2px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-18"><h3><strong>CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:12px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-1"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-2c32c2d5d338cabcf fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_2c32c2d5d338cabcf"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="2c32c2d5d338cabcf" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#2c32c2d5d338cabcf" href="#2c32c2d5d338cabcf"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>John Safford</span></a></h4></div><div id="2c32c2d5d338cabcf" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_2c32c2d5d338cabcf"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<p class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" data-fontsize="16" data-lineheight="24px">John Safford did not submit a response to this questionnaire.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-669aab1fd374c6efc fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_669aab1fd374c6efc"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="669aab1fd374c6efc" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#669aab1fd374c6efc" href="#669aab1fd374c6efc"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Michele Madigan</span></a></h4></div><div id="669aab1fd374c6efc" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_669aab1fd374c6efc"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4>Note: Michele Madigan&#8217;s responses were accidentally temporarily omitted at the original time of posting.</h4>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes, I support the “City in the Country” vision — it’s what makes Saratoga Springs truly special. As Finance Commissioner, I balanced economic growth with environmental stewardship, helping our city grow responsibly while protecting our natural assets. My approach has always been about smart, sustainable development — not growth for growth’s sake.</p>
<p>As Mayor, I’ll continue to ensure that we maintain a vibrant downtown and preserve our cherished Greenbelt. I believe we can expand our economy by investing in green innovation, smart infrastructure, and energy efficiency, positioning Saratoga Springs as a regional leader in sustainability and technology. My vision is for Saratoga to become a Smart, Sustainable City — one that embraces electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and smart infrastructure to support our residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I am deeply committed to protecting our city’s green infrastructure — our trees, wetlands, and open spaces — which play a vital role in managing stormwater, mitigating flooding, and reducing heat. I spearheaded the Spa Solar Park, which now offsets roughly 40% of the City’s electricity use, and led the citywide LED streetlight conversion, cutting both costs and emissions.</p>
<p>As Mayor, I will prioritize climate resilience planning — strengthening tree canopy coverage, improving stormwater management systems, and exploring incentives for property owners to install green roofs, permeable pavement, and other sustainable designs. The New York League of Conservation Voters recently recognized my record and leadership, noting that I bring a “bias toward action” and a “proven track record of environmental leadership.” That bias for action will guide my approach to protecting Saratoga from climate risks.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes. Adding municipal food scraps collection is a natural next step for Saratoga Springs. We’ve already demonstrated success with our composting initiatives, and expanding to include food scraps would further reduce landfill waste, cut methane emissions, and support a local circular economy.</p>
<p>I would work closely with Sustainable Saratoga, DPW, and community partners to develop a pilot food-scrap program, coupled with strong public education to encourage participation and maximize impact.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Housing affordability is a sustainability issue — it affects our workforce, our economy, and our carbon footprint. When people can live close to where they work, we reduce commuting emissions and strengthen our community fabric.</p>
<p>We need a mix of housing options, including workforce housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and public-private partnerships that ensure affordability without compromising character. I also support smart growth principles — directing development where infrastructure already exists, protecting open space, and encouraging energy-efficient construction.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Our urban forest is part of Saratoga’s identity and one of our most valuable natural assets. It improves air quality, provides shade, reduces flooding, and enhances our overall quality of life.</p>
<p>As Finance Commissioner, I established a dedicated funding stream for the city’s urban forestry program — ensuring that tree planting, maintenance, and professional staffing were treated as essential investments, not optional extras. I’m proud that this commitment has allowed Saratoga to expand its tree canopy and preserve our “City in the Country” character.</p>
<p>As Mayor, I would continue to prioritize and strengthen that funding, explore new grants, and build public-private partnerships to expand tree planting and maintenance citywide. Investing in our trees is investing in public health, climate resilience, and the long-term sustainability of our community.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>My top sustainability priorities include:<br />
&#8211; Accelerating Saratoga’s transition to renewable energy, building on the success of the Spa Solar Park.<br />
&#8211; Making Saratoga a leader in EV infrastructure by expanding charging stations and electrifying municipal fleets.<br />
&#8211; Developing a Smart City infrastructure plan, integrating technology to make city services more efficient, sustainable, and transparent.<br />
&#8211; Protecting our water resources and expanding green stormwater management initiatives.<br />
&#8211; Partnering regionally to position Saratoga Springs as a model for sustainable innovation in upstate New York.</p>
<p>I’m proud to have been recognized by the New York League of Conservation Voters for my environmental leadership. Their confidence in my record reinforces my belief that Saratoga can lead — not just follow — in building a smarter, greener, more resilient future.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-19"><h3><strong>CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-2"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-874f85f613d6341c2 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_874f85f613d6341c2"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="874f85f613d6341c2" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#874f85f613d6341c2" href="#874f85f613d6341c2"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Dillon Moran</span></a></h4></div><div id="874f85f613d6341c2" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_874f85f613d6341c2"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Our comprehensive plan has been in place for 10 years and I believe it is due for a review. At present my concerns relate simply to housing and affordability. I do believe we need to review policies that could help enhance affordability in the city and have ideas on how to do so. The liberty housing project being one example of use of space in the inner tax district that created 220 workforce housing units and also conserved 20 acres of land forever wild. I believe a well constituted working group of all stakeholders will continue our legacy in terms of a balance between growth and nature. In addition I have already begun work to greatly expand the use of ADUs in the city. Presently permitted under UR3 and 4, I am analyzing the areas to assess how many can be built on available land. I am planning to have their construction driven by a tax/assessment reduction. I am happy to discuss this at greater length.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Unfortunately, I believe we are past the point where our current infrastructure and systems can manage effectively the weather patterns we are now experiencing. We need to make significant investments in hardening our infrastructure: be that roads, stormwater systems, curbing, or watershed protections for our source water, we cannot simply hope that the impacts of global warming will not come to our door. That is not a reasonable approach as we have already seen it.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>At this time, I do not have an understanding as to what a food scrap recycling program would cost vs the value it would provide our community. I would need to know much more about this.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I’m a long time participant in Tree Toga and in a previous runs for the DPW department, I committed to planting 1000 trees in my first term. I am aware that we’ve lost over 7000 trees in the last decade +. I believe we need to continue to try and build back the forest as much as possible, though we are having issues with invasive species that are being addressed. We have to have adequate staffing within our urban forestry group as we have a sizable inventory of trees. I will always look to make sure that department is properly staffed and funded.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Sustainability has many definitions, when I look at the City of Saratoga Springs, three areas that leap out to me are our infrastructure, our economy, and our community. We need to make sure that our infrastructure is sustainable for the long-term and that would start with securing our water source as it is currently in peril. Additional steps would Include strengthening access to affordable housing such that everyone who participates in our economy, has the ability to live here. If we do not have the ability for our workers to live here, we will no longer have them. With that, we will not have a sustainable economic model to move forward. Lastly, sustainable housing is essential to the long-term survival and sustainability of our of our community. Right now, people are being priced out of their homes, young families do not have access due to housing shortages created by a glut of short term rentals (approx 900). I am working diligently to reduce that number and to create additional units. I have a laser focus on accessibility and affordability of housing.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-0acecb05d4433a941 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_0acecb05d4433a941"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="0acecb05d4433a941" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#0acecb05d4433a941" href="#0acecb05d4433a941"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Jessica Troisi</span></a></h4></div><div id="0acecb05d4433a941" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_0acecb05d4433a941"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I strongly support the “City in the Country” vision of Saratoga Springs. Economic development should happen incrementally on existing infrastructure in the inner district. The city should support small, local, employers through grants and permitting reform that would permit ground floor commercial uses in specific areas paired with small public investments that promote walkability and streetscapes. The greenbelt could also provide tourism through a promoted trail network that would turn the greenbelt from growth constraint to economic asset.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>It can be very expensive to replicate the benefits of green infrastructure with grey infrastructure, so it is both financially and environmentally important that the green infrastructure is kept intact. Street projects should include tree planting and projects that involve tree removal should also include tree replacement. The canopy cover of streets and parking lots should be examined, and efforts should be aimed at strategic plantings to increase canopy coverage in low coverage areas. The city should create an overlay to identify the areas that are of high importance in regard to climate resiliency. The overlay could then be considered during any development permitting.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I am in support of municipal food scrap collection if it can be operated efficiently and effectively. Any city investment would need to be matched with community buy in to succeed and would need a strong partner, like Sustainable Saratoga, to assist with education and outreach. If elected Commissioner of Accounts, I will work collaboratively with all the City Departments and Community Partners to support a pilot program that has collection sites. Later, a model that has the city doing curbside pick-up could be considered once viability, cost, and participation can be assessed.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Housing affordability won’t be solved overnight, but that does not mean Saratoga Springs shouldn’t be a regional leader on the issue. There is a lot of pent-up demand for housing in our city, so I appreciate the question’s acknowledgement that additional housing alone will not reduce local housing costs. It will take everyone at the Commissioner’s Table working together. If elected, I will work with the other commissioners to incentivize infill in the urban core, enable zoning that allows denser housing (duplexes, townhouses, etc..) and incentivize their construction. I will work to create incentives encouraging all large-scale housing developments to contain a certain percentage of affordable units. Permits from the Accounts Department will play a large role in this. If elected Commissioner of Accounts I would pursue permit reforms to reduce barriers and prioritize affordability.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I support the funding of this program and find it important. Trees are a multi-benefit asset that reduce the cost of climate adaptation, support tourism, increase the quality of life, and increase property values. Investing in this program is a cost-effective investment that should compete strongly with other capital priorities.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>My top sustainability priorities are protecting the Greenbelt, enabling affordable infill housing, embedding resilience in every project, and supporting people-first projects. Permitting is how we make these priorities real: by rewarding projects that align with Saratoga’s long-term vision and holding back those that put our future at risk.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-20"><h3><strong>CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF  FINANCE IN SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:13px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-3"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-f39b2ab5ac025e690 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_f39b2ab5ac025e690"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="f39b2ab5ac025e690" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#f39b2ab5ac025e690" href="#f39b2ab5ac025e690"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Joanne Kiernan</span></a></h4></div><div id="f39b2ab5ac025e690" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_f39b2ab5ac025e690"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes, I fully support the vision of Saratoga Springs as the “City in the Country.” This guiding principle in the Comprehensive Plan captures what makes our city so special: a vibrant, walkable downtown surrounded by the natural beauty, open spaces, and rural character of the Greenbelt. Preserving that balance is key to maintaining both our quality of life and our economic vitality.</p>
<p>I believe smart, sustainable growth means honoring this vision while planning for the future in a way that benefits everyone. That includes encouraging economic development that aligns with our values, supporting locally owned businesses, investing in infrastructure that enhances livability (like bike paths, sidewalks, and green space), and focusing on infill and mixed-use development within the urban core to prevent sprawl.</p>
<p>It also means being intentional about protecting the Greenbelt, not just for its environmental value, but because it supports tourism, recreation, agriculture, and the overall character that draws people to Saratoga Springs in the first place.</p>
<p>By prioritizing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community input, we can promote growth that reflects who we are as a city,forward-thinking, inclusive, and deeply rooted in our connection to both people and place.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Protecting our city’s natural “green infrastructure”, including forests, wetlands, and open space, is not just about conservation, it’s about resilience, public safety, and long-term economic stability.</p>
<p>I support policies that preserve and strengthen our green infrastructure. These natural systems play a vital role in absorbing stormwater, reducing flood risk, moderating temperatures, and improving air quality. They are also critical assets in fighting climate change by capturing carbon and supporting biodiversity.</p>
<p>Climate resilience isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a financial one. Every dollar spent on proactive mitigation saves much more in avoided disaster recovery costs. By protecting our green infrastructure, we’re also protecting the health, safety, and economic well-being of everyone who lives and works in Saratoga Springs.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes, the Director of Parks, Open Space, and Historic Preservation recently visited a town with a successful food scraps composting program. It’s definitely something we should explore here. Getting a pilot program off the ground would take some volunteers, but I’d fully support the effort and do what’s needed to help make it happen.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Making Saratoga Springs more affordable is essential so people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels can live here, not just visit. Affordability affects housing, jobs, and community connection.</p>
<p>We have over 1,800 affordable units built, in progress, or planned. The Mayor’s office has been working closely with the Planning Department on ways to support attainable homeownership, like exploring Community Land Trusts/Banks and helping property owners understand how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can play a role.</p>
<p>We’re also talking with CDTA about better transit options and support small businesses to create year-round jobs. As a certified pro-housing community, we’re exploring grants to help review zoning for gentle density options and housing needs assessment.</p>
<p>Affordability doesn’t mean lowering standards, it means making sure the people who keep Saratoga vibrant can afford to stay and thrive.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Our urban forest is a huge asset to Saratoga Springs, it improves air quality, keeps the city cooler, manages stormwater, and adds to our quality of life. Thanks to Sustainable Saratoga and the City, we’ve already made great progress.</p>
<p>Of course, budgets are tight, and we have to balance urban forestry with other priorities like public safety and infrastructure. But we can still support our trees in smart, cost-effective ways, by maintaining what we’ve planted, seeking grants and partnerships, and including tree work in existing projects like road or park upgrades.</p>
<p>Trees aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re part of our infrastructure, and they pay off in the long run. With the right approach, we can keep growing our urban forest without overburdening the city budget.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Sustainability should be woven into everything we do, from housing and transportation to economic development. By making thoughtful, forward-looking choices now, we can keep Saratoga Springs a healthy, livable, and welcoming city for generations to come.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-0b75fe860bb26af7f fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_0b75fe860bb26af7f"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="0b75fe860bb26af7f" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#0b75fe860bb26af7f" href="#0b75fe860bb26af7f"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Shafer Gaston</span></a></h4></div><div id="0b75fe860bb26af7f" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_0b75fe860bb26af7f"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I want to maintain the Greenbelt however without coordination with surrounding municipalities it becomes meaningless in the face of up-to-the-edge development outside of our jurisdiction. From inside our borders, spot zoning/PUDs must be avoided in the name of &#8220;fast housing&#8221; fixes.</p>
<p>Economic development that promotes sustainable growth includes: 1) Policies and infrastructure to encourage a more diversified economy so that the people who live in Saratoga Springs can afford to work in Saratoga Springs rather than having to commute hours every week. This is an update to the Comprehensive Plan as well as ensuring adequate water and services. 2) Partner with builders to encourage energy-efficient construction methods. This includes incentives at the local level and sourcing grants from state or higher levels.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>We must continue to follow state laws and our own development ordinance with regards to protection of wetlands and continue our partnership with private organizations to promote urban tree planting. Permeability requirements must be adhered to and enforced for projects approved by the city, which requires adequately staffing both the building department and code inspection.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes although it was my understanding that there was already a project to stand up composting of food waste in partnership with Pitney Meadows farm. I would like to see that project continue and if successful implement a complete program.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>First, affordability is not just about housing. Systems and policies that require, or cause to require, excess time or cost (such as needing to commute long distances to work or to buy goods or services) also contribute to affordability issues, along with the cost and inconsistent availability of services, utilities, and food.</p>
<p>However, regarding housing in particular, outside of price control, the only way to reduce housing cost is by increasing the stock of available housing. There are three ways to do this, the easiest is to build in undeveloped properties, then there is repurposing existing development (either internal conversion or demolition and rebuild), then there are implementing policies to increase stock (such as disincentivizing speculation on houses and apartments that sit idle and discouraging excessive &#8216;upgrades&#8217; that price houses well above market value for their neighborhood). I do not believe that we have yet maximized our options for increasing stock without resorting to new construction. In-fill applications continue to come in and must be weighed against future affordability. The city has adopted a policy that will likely discourage external speculation on property to be used as short term rentals.</p>
<p>To make Saratoga Springs more affordable, besides the housing costs, we need to address the other affordability issues as well. Encouraging walkability/bikeability and continuing to partner with the CDTA to reduce reliance on automobiles will make our city more affordable, as will public-private partnerships to provide food aid, repair, and other community supports.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I believe it is critical and it is a commitment per the approved 2013 Urban and Community Forest Master Plan, as adopted by the city, and I also believe should continue to operate to the more recent recommendations of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. Tree management impacts infrastructure and energy usage and is an important investment in both sustainability and affordability.</p>
<p>I do also advocate for updating the Comprehensive Plan and as part of that reviewing and incorporating changes where warranted to the supporting land use and development plans adopted by the City &#8211; which would include incorporating the recommendations of the Urban Forestry Management Plan. This would necessarily commit funding as well as compel us to seek outside partnerships and assistance to maintaining our urban forest.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>My sustainability priorities are also key affordability priorities &#8211; either by reducing costs on the public to maintain our infrastructure or by providing residents and workers more economic freedom.</p>
<p>Transportation &#8211; things that can help move residents and workers away from cars reduces their costs, reduces energy usage, and frees up space especially in more crowded commercial areas</p>
<p>Land Use (Permeability and water management) &#8211; development that manages runoff and can sustain through heavy rains and dry spells will reduce private repair costs, mitigate risk, and help smooth the peaks of usage on both our water and sewer infrastructure</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-21"><h3 class="fusion-responsive-typography-calculated" style="--fontsize: 22; line-height: 1.5; --minfontsize: 22;" data-fontsize="22" data-lineheight="33px"><strong>CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:12px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-4"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-613dcd0d5f0dd34c5 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_613dcd0d5f0dd34c5"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="613dcd0d5f0dd34c5" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#613dcd0d5f0dd34c5" href="#613dcd0d5f0dd34c5"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Tim Coll</span></a></h4></div><div id="613dcd0d5f0dd34c5" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_613dcd0d5f0dd34c5"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes, I support this vision for Saratoga Springs. I welcome economic development that incorporates green building initiatives; however, each project must be carefully balanced against its actual costs, particularly when it involves public funding. The City of Saratoga Springs is facing significant financial constraints in the near future. For that reason, this type of development will need to rely heavily on grants and other outside funding sources.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I support all planning and development that incorporates protecting our green infrastructure. I believe the Planning Board does an excellent job of integrating this concept into new projects.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Potentially. Again, I agree with this concept; however, cost will ultimately be the deciding factor.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Housing costs are incredibly high throughout the country. They are especially higher in more desirable places to live, particularly areas with low crime rates and strong schools. I believe efforts to expand affordable housing should focus on the middle class. Saratoga has increasingly become a place only for the wealthy or the poor, while the middle class has been pushed to purchase or rent in Ballston Spa or Malta. I believe that the short-term rental (STR) market has driven up the cost of our middle-class housing stock. For example, Geyser Crest, once an affordable neighborhood, has been overrun with STRs, effectively turning homes into de-facto hotels catering to weekend bachelor and bachelorette parties. The failure to address this issue in the past has directly contributed to today’s affordability crisis in Saratoga Springs, as the market value of homes is now based on their short-term rental rates. As such, the implementation of STR regulation is welcomed but has been delayed in implementation.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I support this initiative and have volunteered in the past.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-22"><h3><strong>CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS IN SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:12px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-5"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc" href="#9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Chuck Marshall</span></a></h4></div><div id="9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_9f9a7f7397cbc3bdc"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I recently met with Sustainable staff (Kelsey) and board member (Amy) regarding a proposed project in the Greenbelt. This project would have required both comprehensive plan and zoning amendments to proceed and I told the applicant I would not be supportive of the required changes for the project to proceed and informed Sustainable the same.</p>
<p>After this instance, another applicant approached me with a lawful project involving an area overlayed by the Greenbelt. As I has previously promised Kelsey and Amy, if I became aware of any Greenbelt impacts I would inform them. I subsequently facilitated a meeting between Sustainable and the development team to ensure that as they further design, the concerns Sustainable expressed be incorporated.</p>
<p>I believe in doing what I’ve said/promised and Sustainable representatives can attest I’ve held my word in all instances.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Upon entering office one of the first titles I created was the position of Urban Forester. This position was created in compliance with the 2013 Urban Forestry plan. Urban Forestry plays an element in protecting the identified natural resources in the question.</p>
<p>Upon coming into office, there were four Senior Engineering Technician positions open. Additional titles include: Stormwater/GIS Specialist and Utilities Engineer. The Stormwater/GIS Specialist will specifically be tasked with addressing the increasing demands of severe weather and adherence to the NYS DEC MS4 requirements.</p>
<p>These positions were created to address specific needs within the Engineering Department to address climate action, the City’s ability to address instantaneous response and implementation of long-range planning.</p>
<p>Finally, DPW is currently with Sustainable on a signage program where DPW will design and obtains permits through NSYDOT designating entry to the Greenbelt in varying locations throughout the City.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>The largest concern with inclusion of food scraps in the City’s composting program is the pickup mechanism. Currently, leaf/lawn debris is retrieved through on street pickup of yard debris and inclusion of food scraps could not be done in the same manner. A trial program would have to include voluntary drop-off of material at the Weibel Ave facility before attempting a pickup program.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>As a Planning Board member, I supported a number of subdivisions with non-conforming lots; particularly in the inner district. Allowing non-conforming lots creates an in-fill mechanism preventing sprawl or attempts at it.</p>
<p>The second thing I’d be supportive of is an inclusionary zoning program and adoption of the NYS 485-a program. Inclusionary zoning is the process by which height bonuses would be granted to developers seeking multi-story developments. This would require modification of Section 4.4(B) of the UDO.</p>
<p>Currently, the City only participates in the NYS 485-B program which applies to commercial, industrial and retail projects. The adoption of the 485-A program would enable mixed-use projects inclusive of residential development to be included in the tax abatement program. This would also, primarily affect inner district developments.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Pursuant to number 2, the creation of the Urban Forester was an initial undertaking when I got into office. The position received approval of the Civil Service Commission and awaits budgetary approval for final adaptation. When the Urban Forester position is filled, we will backfill the Arborist position and bring DPW in line with the 2013 Urban Forestry plan.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>As stated above, I’ve made sustainability a priority by incorporating it into the regular activities of DPW. The creation of positions including Urban Forester, GIS/Stormwater Specialist and Utilities Engineer will protect the City’s infrastructure while making us more climate resilient.</p>
<p>Connectivity will be the emphasis of work in the imminent future. In May, I introduced a resolution that enabled DPW to access payment in lieu of funds from the Planning Board to be utilized for Missing Link and ADA compliant projects. After a meeting with Inclusive Saratoga, we are currently<br />
working with Saratoga County to design and permit the first project utilizing this process.</p>
<p>Subsequently, I was able to identify unspent state funds which will further the construction of  identified Greenbelt Trail projects allowing bicyclists to traverse from Geyser Road to Nelson Avenue via Crescent Ave Connector (RFP issued) and through a dangerous segment of Excelsior Spring Ave (RFP intended October). This does not include Church and Van Dam streets where a separate study identified pedestrian improvements to mitigate impacts of existing truck traffic that will likely serve as a deterrent for future truck traffic. Decreasing the reliance of vehicles or incentivizing multi-modal transport is a significant opportunity for the City and its residents.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-dee8158476b4a1bf9 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_dee8158476b4a1bf9"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="dee8158476b4a1bf9" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#dee8158476b4a1bf9" href="#dee8158476b4a1bf9"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>BK Keramati</span></a></h4></div><div id="dee8158476b4a1bf9" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_dee8158476b4a1bf9"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>A) Yes, I support the “City in the Country” vision.<br />
B) In my opinion, the most critical issue facing Saratoga Springs is the maintenance of our water and sewer infrastructure (pipes, pumps, valves, hydrants, etc.) in addition to the health of Loughberry Lake. Saratoga Springs cannot keep growing without taxing this infrastructure beyond its capacity. Increasing this capacity would be expensive, but is probably necessary since Loughberry’s long-term health is seriously threatened. Saratoga Springs does not need to promote economic development; what it needs is to be a better steward of its water and related infrastructure resources.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>My plan is to protect the “City in the Country” plan and limit developments to within the core area of the city where walking and biking can be encouraged and facilitated. We need to make it easier for folks to build Auxiliary Dwelling Units where possible to support affordable housing needs for grandparents, in-law, or young families. There are still significant opportunities for single-family and multiple-family units in the city core. We should, by all means, protect “the Greenbelt”. Not only is this an environmentally sound approach, it also enhances the enjoyment of the city for all residents and businesses.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes! I support composting at the city level, starting with a voluntary plan similar to the Pitney Meadows composting campaign. The city should learn from the PM experience and from other cities around NY State who have such programs. This would be a wonderful expansion of the current composting facility.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>As mentioned earlier, I support easing restrictions on ADU’s. Furthermore, my understanding is that there are over 1000 homes in Saratoga Springs that are being used as short-term rentals (Air B&amp;B’s). More regulations are needed to either convert some of these units to permanent housing, or to establish a fee structure to develop funding for affordable housing units within the city core.</p>
<p>I would also support learning from other cities that have been more successful in encouraging the development of affordable housing.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Trees are a vital part of Saratoga Springs. Recently, DPW has paid more attention to having the needed manpower, leadership, and training to plant and<br />
nurture. I would continue to promote working with volunteer organizations but we need to make sure that the city is providing enough leadership in this interaction.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>The very top issue for Saratoga Springs is the health of our water supply (currently the threatened Loughberry Lake), our aging and degrading water<br />
infrastructure, and the inadequate storm sewer system in parts of the city. The city needs to clearly identify other sources of water since reversing the downward quality and quantity trend of Loughberry Lake is an unrealistic environmental and regulatory challenge.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-23"><h3><strong>CANDIDATES FOR SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR IN SARATOGA SPRINGS</strong></h3>
</div><div class="accordian fusion-accordian" style="--awb-border-size:1px;--awb-icon-size:12px;--awb-content-font-size:16px;--awb-icon-alignment:left;--awb-hover-color:#f9f9f9;--awb-border-color:#cccccc;--awb-background-color:#ffffff;--awb-divider-color:#e0dede;--awb-divider-hover-color:#e0dede;--awb-icon-color:#ffffff;--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;--awb-icon-box-color:#333333;--awb-toggle-hover-accent-color:#9db668;--awb-title-font-family:&quot;Lora&quot;;--awb-title-font-weight:400;--awb-title-font-style:normal;--awb-title-font-size:18px;--awb-content-font-family:&quot;Roboto&quot;;--awb-content-font-style:normal;--awb-content-font-weight:300;"><div class="panel-group fusion-toggle-icon-boxed" id="accordion-15091-6"><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-96fb99ea9d6c18371 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_96fb99ea9d6c18371"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="96fb99ea9d6c18371" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#96fb99ea9d6c18371" href="#96fb99ea9d6c18371"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Minita Sanghvi</span></a></h4></div><div id="96fb99ea9d6c18371" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_96fb99ea9d6c18371"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Yes. I believe infill development in the city’s core is preferable to pushing outward, which could negatively impact our greenbelt and our vision of the city in the country.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>As the county supervisor, I will work with the city to help preserve and develop green infrastructure through committees on trails and open spaces, grants, etc.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>My office initiated Participatory Budgeting and I am proud to say we funded the first ever food scrap composting program at Pitney Meadows with Sustainable Saratoga. We saw over 100 families and about 4 tonnes of waste from going into landfills. Warren county has started a pilot program for food scrap composting with a grant. I am hoping to work on this at the county.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>We need more affordable housing, workforce housing, supportive housing and veteran&#8217;s housing in Saratoga. We&#8217;ve green lit quite a few affordable housing programs these past 4 years. We&#8217;re hoping to see a significant number come online in the next few years. We can also look at accessory dwelling units as another way to make our city more affordable.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>DPW funds urban forest programs but Participatory budgeting has also provided funding for urban forestry and pollinator gardens, etc. This is an important aspect of our city and something I&#8217;m hoping to do on a larger scale at the county.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Urban forestry, preservation of farms, open spaces, more trails, more bike paths and sidewalks, more pollinator gardens, and city wide/ county wide composting of food scraps.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-9f519fad560b6bf84 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_9f519fad560b6bf84"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="9f519fad560b6bf84" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#9f519fad560b6bf84" href="#9f519fad560b6bf84"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>Sarah Burger</span></a></h4></div><div id="9f519fad560b6bf84" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_9f519fad560b6bf84"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Even though I&#8217;m running for County Supervisor and do not have a vote at the Council table, I and have always been in full support of the Comprehensive Plan&#8217;s central concept defining Saratoga Springs as a &#8220;City in the Country.&#8221; My family lives in the furthest reach of the Greenbelt and has for over one-hundred and twenty-five years. Preservation of what&#8217;s left of our greenbelt as open space needs to be a priority to maintaining our &#8220;City in the Country.&#8221; I would like to see our City expand our use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a means to help with affordable housing and senior and family care, especially for the outer districts with larger lot sizes.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Preservation can be done using land trusts or through zoning laws. We can require green space minimums on development projects and compact mixed use to reduce sprawl and protect undeveloped land (ie open space). When elected Supervisor, I will advocate for these types of initiatives where possible and for the continuation of vital existing funding for open space that the County already does.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Even though as Supervisor this is not something I can vote for, I believe that yes, we should absolutely upgrade our existing composting operations to add municipal food scraps where feasible. Certain challenges such as infrastructure needs would have to be overcome but we can look to cities that already compost food waste as examples for implementation strategy and benefits such as Toronto and Seattle.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>While the County Supervisors do not have direct vote regarding the City planning, more affordable housing is needed across the County. Many of our workers are commuting long distances to their jobs in our downtown restaurants for example. Ways to make housing more affordable could include inclusionary zoning, we can encourage public-private partnerships that provide tax incentives or other grant funding, and as I mentioned above I fully support the expansion of use of Accessory dwelling units.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Again, as a Supervisor I will not have a say in the City planning. However, as an advocate for our community at the County level I will work to promote funding opportunities for these interests as they are critical to not only our present but planning for our future.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I am aware that we have outgrown our County buildings in Ballston Spa and that the County may be looking at moving from Ballston Spa, or expanding its facilities elsewhere. This is likely a long-term project but an opportunity to examine the most energy efficient and climate smart manner to build for our future. I hope to be a part of this critical county planning.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div><div class="fusion-panel panel-default panel-2a94fcac2367dd3a3 fusion-toggle-has-divider" style="--awb-title-color:#9fbf71;--awb-content-color:#747474;"><div class="panel-heading"><h4 class="panel-title toggle" id="toggle_2a94fcac2367dd3a3"><a aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="2a94fcac2367dd3a3" role="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#2a94fcac2367dd3a3" href="#2a94fcac2367dd3a3"><span class="fusion-toggle-icon-wrapper" aria-hidden="true"><i class="fa-fusion-box active-icon awb-icon-minus" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="fa-fusion-box inactive-icon awb-icon-plus" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="fusion-toggle-heading"><strong>George Ehinger</span></a></h4></div><div id="2a94fcac2367dd3a3" class="panel-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="toggle_2a94fcac2367dd3a3"><div class="panel-body toggle-content fusion-clearfix"></strong></p>
<h4><strong>1. In the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Saratoga Springs is defined as the “City in the Country,” meaning an intensively developed urban core and vibrant downtown surrounded by “the Greenbelt,” an outlying area of rural character and natural resources, with low-density residential development. Do you support this vision of Saratoga Springs or do you think it should change? What are your ideas for economic development that promote smart, sustainable growth for our community?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Interesting that I was talking about the history and importance of the Greenbelt just this morning.</p>
<p>I am in favor of maintaining the greenbelt to protect our city in the country.</p>
<p>I believe that strong downtowns surrounded by places for recreation and connecting to nature ensure long term viability of a community and are therefore critical to economic development and to drawing businesses and a workforce to Saratoga Springs.</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs has done the right thing over the years by creating a Zoning plan that concentrates development within the urban core and has less dense development in the Greenbelt.  It has made our City a desirable place to live.  I do not believe that the City should change overall zoning to increase or decrease allowable density in the Greenbelt</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>2. The Saratoga Springs Hazard Mitigation Plan ranks severe storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures as the top hazards for the city. The city&#8217;s natural &#8220;green infrastructure,&#8221; including forests and wetlands, helps protect against flooding, reduces urban heat, and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. What is your plan for keeping the city&#8217;s &#8220;green infrastructure&#8221; intact and for protecting city residents and our local economy from intensifying climate hazards?<br />
</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I am a strong believer in green infrastructure and open space,  as my past service on the Saratoga Plan Board and current service on the SoBro Conservancy board will attest.   I will be fierce advocate for open space as an important way to mitigate intensifying climate hazards.</p>
<p>Over the past 10 years the County has committed over $250,000 and up to $500,000 in its anuual budget for Open Space in large part because of my predecessor and Matt Vietch.    Matt and I have discussed this very issue at length and he has promised to help me navigate this issue with the County.</p>
<p>If elected supervisor I would want to continue to advocate this level of support or even increase the amounts.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>3. Approximately 40% of the food produced in the U.S. for human consumption is wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills and resulting in further environmental problems. Should municipal food scraps collection be added to the City’s existing composting operations?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I am in strong agreement that reducing food waste and keeping it out of landfills is an excellent goal.</p>
<p>The City of Saratoga Springs was very forward-thinking when they implemented the composting program for yard waste.  In my opinion it has been an unqualified success and one of the programs that is truly taken advantage of by our residents.  They feel as though they are contributing to something positive when they put their yard waste out on the curb each year.  I would absolutely support adding food waste to this program, and would work with the City DPW in providing any County funding or support to this initiative.  While the Supervisor does not directly have involvement with these types of City initiatives, the County has a great resource with its partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Saratoga County Soil and Water to help with recommendations or support of the program.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>4. The cost of housing in Saratoga Springs continues to rise. In other resort communities such as ours, simply building more housing has not reduced housing costs. Please discuss your ideas for making Saratoga Springs more affordable.</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>I was pleased to see Governor Hochuls “move-in NY” initiative announced and I will be watching closely the impact it has on the initial targeted cities.    Affordable housing is the foundation for much economic development, and much housing is needed to support the workers, medical professionals, first responders and others.</p>
<p>Our ‘City in the Country’ concept for Saratoga Springs, keeping the inner district more densely developed than the outer areas of the City is a big factor in what makes Saratoga Springs so attractive to so many home buyers.   Unfortunately, while sustainable for the long term, this concept has perhaps unintentionally caused real estate values to rise to a level that has made it difficult for those of modest means to either rent or own in Saratoga Springs.</p>
<p>I support the Comprehensive Plan’s goals and ideals.  While the County Supervisor does not have any direct input into the City’s planning, I would be supportive of any affordable housing initiatives, such as the recent developments near West Avenue, which give those of moderate incomes the ability to reside within the City limits.</p>
<p>One concept that has been used to some success in Essex County has been their land bank program which leverages government involvement to rehabilitate aging homes and substandard properties, and then sell them back to qualified owners in order to achieve sustainable and long-term affordability for residents.   Approaches that revitalize existing homes and create affordable housing are true win-wins</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>5. Sustainable Saratoga and the city of Saratoga Springs have worked hard for years to increase the presence of trees in the city—the “urban forest”—which provides environmental, social, and economic benefits for Saratoga Springs. This ongoing program requires investment in trained professional staff, tree planting, and maintenance. How important is funding for the urban forest among other city priorities?</strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Tree Toga is a low cost, high impact program that should continue to be funded.  I had the opportunity to participate in Tree Toga with my daughter and we still drive by the trees we helped plant and reflect on what was a great day meeting neighbors and adding to the vibrancy of this city.   Tree Toga not only supplies and replaces trees that deliver valuable environmental benefits to the city it provides a connection to the community that will last for generations.</p></blockquote>
<h4><strong>6. Please feel free to address your top sustainability priorities for Saratoga Springs or any other sustainability topics. </strong></h4>
<blockquote><p>Politics aside, sustainability and mitigating the causes and impacts of climate change are among my most personal passions.   As a boy scout I was taught not just the value of our natural world but that only humans can protect it.    As an adult I regularly study how to mitigate the effects of human activities on our environment.  One of my favorite recent reads was “ The Year of No Garbage” By Eve Schwartz.    A fascinating tale that really uncovers so many myths about the effect of plastic on our planet.   Reduce, Reuse, Recycle are a great mantra but they need to be focused in that order—first REDUCE, then REUSE, last RECYCLE.    Too much attention over the years has been focused on the least impactful of those 3—recycle.     As a community we need to do our best to educate people that the #1  way to drive sustainability is to REDUCE consumption.</p>
<p>As green as Saratoga is relative to other communities, I believe a lot more can be done.  I will fight for the appropriate funding and resources to secure that countywide we are doing as much as possible to make Saratoga Springs and County as sustainable as possible.</p></blockquote>
</div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep" style="align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:12px;width:100%;"><div class="fusion-separator-border sep-double sep-solid" style="--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:#176333;border-color:#176333;border-top-width:3px;border-bottom-width:3px;"></div></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-24"><p>Click on the links below to view the candidates questionnaires as a pdf.</p>
<p>MAYOR</p>
<ul>
<li>John Safford (survey not returned)</li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/madigan.ss_.2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michele Madigan</a></li>
</ul>
<p>COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Dillon-Moran-Candidate-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dillon Moran</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Jess-Troisi-Sustainable-Saratoga-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Troisi</a></li>
</ul>
<p>COMMISSIONER OF FINANCE</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Joanne-Kiernan-Candidate-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joanne Kiernan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Shafer-Gaston-Candidate-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shafer Gaston</a></li>
</ul>
<p>COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tim-Coll-Public-Safety.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Coll</a></li>
</ul>
<p>COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Chuck-Marshall-sustainable-saratoga_chuck-marshall-response_92525.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chuck Marshall</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BK-Public-Works.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BK Keramati</a></li>
</ul>
<p>SARATOGA COUNTY SUPERVISOR</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Minita-Sanghvi-Candidate-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minita Sanghvi</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sarah-Burger-Candidate-Questionnaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarah Burger</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ehinger-Sustainable-questionaire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">George Ehinger</a></li>
</ul>
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<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/2025-city-council-candidate-survey-find-out-where-the-local-candidates-stand-on-sustainability-issues/">2025 City Council and County Supervisor Candidate Survey</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Press Release: Saratoga Recycles Day 2025</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-saratoga-recycles-day-2025/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Rothaug]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:30:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zero Waste]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15228</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 10/6/25 Sustainable Saratoga is Hosting its 9th annual Saratoga Recycles Day Event Sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga is hosting its 9th annual Saratoga Recycles Day sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company. This year’s event is being held on</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-saratoga-recycles-day-2025/">Press Release: Saratoga Recycles Day 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-margin-top:25px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-14 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RDGraphic-25-ATC-400x400.jpg" alt class="img-responsive"/></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-25" style="--awb-margin-top:25px;"><p>PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 10/6/25</p>
<h3>Sustainable Saratoga is Hosting its 9th annual Saratoga Recycles Day Event Sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company</h3>
<p>Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga is hosting its 9th annual Saratoga Recycles Day sponsored by Adirondack Trust Company. This year’s event is being held on Saturday, October 18, from 9 am – 12 pm in the SPAC overflow parking lot on the west side of Route 50.</p>
<p><strong>What</strong>: Saratoga Recycles Day<br />
<strong>When</strong>: Saturday, October 18, from 9 AM- 12 PM<br />
<strong>Where</strong>: SPAC overflow parking lot, west side of Route 50<br />
<strong>Who</strong>: Anyone! There are no residency requirements for this event<br />
<strong>Cost</strong>: Entrance fee of $5 per vehicle, cash or check (exact change preferred), plus a $20 recycling fee per TV</p>
<p>Saratoga Recycles Day, a key event of Sustainable Saratoga’s Zero Waste Committee, is an opportunity for the community to actively participate in minimizing household waste. Kelsey Trudell, Sustainable Saratoga’s Executive Director, says, “This event, along with our very successful Paint Collection Day held earlier this month, provides us the forum to partner with other local organizations to collect household waste for reuse or recycling. We view this as a great service to the community and our environment.”</p>
<p>Sustainable Saratoga and its partners will accept many household items, including children’s &amp; adult books, textbooks, DVDs &amp; CDs, video games, clothing &amp; textiles, scrap metal, eyeglasses, hearing aids, musical instruments, cell phones and chargers, adult bicycles, refrigerants, small appliances, and electronics. There will be an additional $20 recycling fee per TV.</p>
<p>For specific details about what is being collected and a map of the collection stations, visit <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/saratoga-recycles-day/">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/saratoga-recycles-day/</a></p>
<p>Still have questions? Email zerowaste@sustainablesaratoga.org.</p>
<hr />
<p>ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION</p>
<p>Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008,<br />
Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.</p>
</div></div></div></div></div>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-saratoga-recycles-day-2025/">Press Release: Saratoga Recycles Day 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Leaves: Our Not So Hidden Superpower</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/leaves-our-not-so-hidden-superpower/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Candice Bergmann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:41:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pollinators & Native Plants]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15025</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>                Leaves: Our Not So Hidden Superpower by Johanna Garrison When I was introduced to the realm of wildlife gardening ten years ago, I had no idea how much I needed to unlearn. For ages, I had followed the same gardening routines as my neighbors. Fall was the</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/leaves-our-not-so-hidden-superpower/">Leaves: Our Not So Hidden Superpower</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15030 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-May--e1759160223139.jpg" alt="Woodland-Bed-in-May" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-May--e1759160223139-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-May--e1759160223139.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15031 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-October-e1759159995719.jpg" alt="Leaves" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-October-e1759159995719-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Woodland-Bed-in-October-e1759159995719.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></span></p>
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<h1>Leaves: Our Not So Hidden Superpower</h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>by Johanna Garrison</strong></span></p>
<p>When I was introduced to the realm of wildlife gardening ten years ago, I had no idea how much I needed to unlearn. For ages, I had followed the same gardening routines as my neighbors. Fall was the season to cut everything back and to amass heaps of leaves on the street. Once gone, I didn’t give the leaves another thought. Other than a few hibernating bumblebee queens, I figured most insects were dead by the time frost hit. I couldn’t have been more wrong.</p>
<p><strong>Holy Habitat, Batman</strong></p>
<p>In a recent study, University of Maryland Associate Professor of Entomology Karin Burghardt and graduate student Max Ferlauto wanted to know to what extent leaf removal impacted insect populations over winter. From 20 pesticide-free suburban yards, Burghardt, Ferlauto, and their team removed leaves from some areas and kept them in others. Then they set up emergence traps over each square meter patch that would keep everything contained, and in the spring they lifted each trap to quantify the life beneath.</p>
<p>Any guesses as to how many insects were collected under leaves from <i>one square meter </i>of suburban yard? An average of 18,000! Here’s the takeaway: When leaves were removed, so were 45% of butterflies and moths, up to 67% of spiders, and 25% of beetles, not to mention thousands of flies and other beneficial insects that vegetable gardeners love.</p>
<p>Here we are, thrilled to be planting, watering, propagating so much humming, buzzing vitality within our glorious wildlife gardens… only to smother these lives by cutting off their life cycle when we send leaves to the landfill.</p>
<p><strong>To Shred or Not to Shred </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15027 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Firefly-Larva--e1759160084297.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Firefly-Larva--e1759160084297-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Firefly-Larva--e1759160084297.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15026 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dark-Firefly-e1759160347892.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dark-Firefly-e1759160347892-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dark-Firefly-e1759160347892.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />Years ago, I thought it was fine to wait till the leaves had fallen and then blast through them before putting the mower to bed for the winter. I’d read that leaves make excellent compost and felt gratified I wasn’t raking them to the curb. But according to Ferlauto, mulch-mowing or shredding is just as bad as removal. He calls it “direct mortality.” I sometimes wonder how many thousands of ecosystems I destroyed. Probably more like tens or hundreds of thousands. Sadly, we all know what that road to hell is paved with.</span></p>
<p><strong>But I Don’t Live in a Forest– I Live in a Neighborhood</strong></p>
<p>Maybe you don’t want a wilderness and you like your lawn. How about raking leaves into garden beds, less-traversed areas, and around trees to create what pollinator conservationist and author Heather Holm calls “soft landings.” Let them remain year-round as insects continue to emerge. I’ll bet these dark, damp, protected areas are the first to light up with fireflies next year. During an outdoor Sustainability Science class last fall, a high school senior uncovered a peculiar looking pink and brown critter and asked, “What’s this?” I shouted, “That’s a firefly larva! They live one to two years in the soil relying on moist leaf litter until they emerge as adults. The larvae eat slugs, snails, and earthworms. Awesome find!” Beaming, the student gently covered the larva back up with leaves.</p>
<p><strong>“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Oak Leaf…”</strong></p>
<p>Renowned entomologist and author Doug Tallamy says that the best leaf litter <i>doesn’t</i> degrade quickly. These leaves provide insulation, nutrients, and protection for longer periods than other leaves, and consequently preserve more insects and other arthropods. Enter the Mighty Oak. Larval host to over 500 different species of caterpillar, a native oak’s leaves provide moisture for thousands of critters, most of whom live beneath the soil, and numerous others who live within the leaves themselves. Furthermore, Tallamy reports that jumping worms don’t care for oak leaves; another win. Six inch layers, rather than large piles, is today’s standard recommendation. We can do that, can’t we?</p>
<p><strong>Leaves Do a Lot More Than Look Pretty</strong></p>
<p>Ecological gardening experts teach us that leaves are critical habitat. Here’s what they do:</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Return nutrients to the soil (free compost, anyone?)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Provide insulation for overwintering invertebrates and mammals</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Retain moisture preventing dry soil, erosion, mycorrhizal disease and insect death</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Camouflage and protect wildlife</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Provide nesting material for insects, birds, and mammals</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Fortify the soil carbon which improves overall soil health, holds moisture, mitigates runoff, and suppresses weeds</li>
</ul>
<p>The Xerces Society calls fall “the season of neglect.” Thanks to this study, we now have empirical evidence that leaves definitively play a critical role in preserving insects. So let’s leave the leaves, not to mention twigs, dead wood, and faded blooms. I assure you, the party does not stop during winter!</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-15029 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Skipper-caterpillar-wrapped-in-leaf-e1759160163254.jpg" alt="caterpillar" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Skipper-caterpillar-wrapped-in-leaf-e1759160163254-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Skipper-caterpillar-wrapped-in-leaf-e1759160163254.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></p>
<h3><strong>Resource</strong><strong>s: </strong></h3>
<p><strong>X</strong><strong>e</strong><strong>rces Society’s Bug Banter Podcast Link:</strong> <a href="https://www.xerces.org/bug-banter/leave-leaves-or-lose-insects?emci=c874ce03-538e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;emdi=de1da724-b697-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=14163139"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.xerces.org/bug-banter/leave-leaves-or-lose-insects?emci=c874ce03-538e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;emdi=de1da724-b697-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=14163139</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Max </strong><strong>Ferlauto’s and Karin Burghardt’s <i>Science of the Total Environment</i> study: </strong><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004565?emci=c874ce03-538e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;emdi=de1da724-b697-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=14163139"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004565?emci=c874ce03-538e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;emdi=de1da724-b697-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=14163139</span></a></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-15028 size-full" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Leave-the-Leaves-SoBro-Sign-e1759160388906.jpg" alt="Leave-the-Leave" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Leave-the-Leaves-SoBro-Sign-e1759160388906-200x267.jpg 200w, https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Leave-the-Leaves-SoBro-Sign-e1759160388906.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></p>
<p><strong>Nancy Lawson:</strong> <a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/newsletter-september-2025/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://ww</span></a><a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/newsletter-september-2025/">w.humanegardener.com/newsletter-september-2025/</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/fallen-leaves-are-everything/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.humanegardener.com/fallen-leaves-are-everything/</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Heather Holm:</strong> <a href="https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Joe Gardener Podcast:</strong> <a href="https://joegardener.com/podcast/nature-oaks-doug-tallamy/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://joegardener.com/podcast/nature-oaks-doug-tallamy/</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Johanna Garrison </strong>is an active volunteer for Sustainable Saratoga’s Pollinator Committee and a garden advisory member for SoBro Conservancy. Recently retired from teaching, Johanna hopes to inspire others about the fascinating interconnection between insects and native plants.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/leaves-our-not-so-hidden-superpower/">Leaves: Our Not So Hidden Superpower</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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		<title>Press Release: Paint Collection Day 2025</title>
		<link>https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-paint-collection-day-2025/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caroline Rothaug]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:21:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zero Waste]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[greensheen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paint]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recycling]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://sustainablesaratoga.org/?p=15223</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 9/18/25 Sustainable Saratoga to Host Fourth Annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga in partnership with GreenSheen will hold our 4th annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, from 9am – 1pm. This very</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-paint-collection-day-2025/">Press Release: Paint Collection Day 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="max-width:1289.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% / 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div class="fusion-image-element " style="text-align:center;--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);"><span class=" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-15 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" src="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PaintCollectionDayGraphic25-400x360.jpg" alt class="img-responsive"/></span></div><div class="fusion-text fusion-text-26" style="--awb-margin-top:25px;"><p>PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release 9/18/25</p>
<h3>Sustainable Saratoga to Host Fourth Annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, 2025</h3>
<p>Media Contact: Beth Plummer; beth@sustainablesaratoga.org</p>
<p>Saratoga Springs, NY – Sustainable Saratoga in partnership with <a href="https://greensheenpaint.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GreenSheen</a> will hold our 4th annual Paint Collection Day on Saturday, October 4th, from 9am – 1pm. This very popular community event will be held once again at the Saratoga Springs High School.</p>
<p><strong>What</strong>: Paint Collection Day<br />
<strong>When</strong>: Saturday, October 4th, from 9am – 1pm<br />
<strong>Where</strong>: Saratoga Springs High School Parking Lot, 1 Blue Streak Blvd, Saratoga Springs, NY (entry from West Ave only)<br />
<strong>Who</strong>: Anyone! There are no residency requirements for this event<br />
<strong>Cost</strong>: Free, with donations to Sustainable Saratoga greatly appreciated<br />
<strong>How to register</strong>: click this following link to pre-register and reserve your spot: https://circular.eco/event/SS10425</p>
<p>GreenSheen will collect and recycle the following items at this event:</p>
<ul>
<li>Interior and exterior architectural paints: Latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-<br />
based, enamel</li>
<li>Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)</li>
<li>Primers sealers, undercoaters</li>
<li>Stains</li>
<li>Shellacs, sealers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)</li>
<li>Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellants (not tar orbitumen-based)</li>
<li>Metal coatings, rust preventatives</li>
<li>Field and lawn paints</li>
</ul>
<p>Items <strong>not accepted</strong> include aerosols, paint thinners, cleaning agents, driveway sealer, caulking compounds, glues &amp; adhesives, roof patch, craft paint, auto &amp; marine paint or hazardous waste. Containers cannot be empty or leaking and must contain the original manufacturer’s label.</p>
<p>“We continue to be excited about our partnership with GreenSheen and the safe, effective removal of paint from the waste stream. This event provides s valuable service to our community, and we expect a great turnout like previous years” explains Kelsey Trudell, Sustainable Saratoga’s Executive Director.</p>
<p>For specific details about the event and what will be collected, please visit: https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/paint-collection-day/</p>
<hr />
<p>ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION</p>
<p>Sustainable Saratoga is a not-for-profit organization that promotes sustainable practices and the protection of natural resources, through education, advocacy and action, for the benefit of current and future generations in the Saratoga Springs area. Since 2008, Sustainable Saratoga has been a leader in promoting awareness of environmental issues and what we as a local community can do to minimize our ecological impact while maintaining a high quality of life.</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org/press-release-paint-collection-day-2025/">Press Release: Paint Collection Day 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://sustainablesaratoga.org">Sustainable Saratoga</a>.</p>
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